Midst the dozens of pop albums and jazz artists recognized on NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums of 2014 there stand four classical and orchestral compilations. The writers at NPR have a tough job, and I do not envy their task of narrowing down a year's worth of music from almost every genre across the globe onto one list. While I would love to see more symphonies and fewer, well, Taylor Swifts, the four classically-appropriate albums that were chosen are well-placed. 1.) Augustin Hadelich and Hannu Lintu: Adés/ Sibelius: Violin Concertos If you have not heard of violinist Augustin Hadelich, do not be ashamed. This album features the 30-year-old soaring above the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Hannu Lintu in two diametrically different concertos. The combination of a more traditional concerto by Sibelius with a modern work by Thomas Adés provides a dynamic range for the pin-pointed intonation of the young violinist. Adés' work, "Concentric Circles," from 2005 includes violin passages so high it may even give listeners that teetering feeling of vertigo. 2.) Joyce DiDonato: Stella di Napoli 00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3ba5c20000 Who does not love that down-to-earth mezzo soprano? Paired with the incredible Orchestre et Chur de L'Opéra de Lyon directed by Riccardo Minasi, DiDonato brings the listener both the beloved classics by Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti as well as a few unexpected treasures by Pacini and Carafa. This looks to be a classic album for everyone's home library. 3.) Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic Choir: Leo Janá?ek, Glagolitic Mass 00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3ba5c30000 This is not an album for the faint of heart. Leo Janá?ek's twist on a traditional Catholic Mass is a feat of breadth by the orchestra, choir, and especially the solo voices. The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir are directed by Tomá Netropil, and the album also features Janá?ek's earlier work, "The Eternal Gospel." So where does the word Glagolitic originate? The Glagolitic alphabet was a predecessor to the modern Cyrillic alphabet which is commonly used in Leo Janá?ek's homeland, the Czek Republic. 00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3ba5c40000 4.) The Seattle Symphony: John Luther Adams, Become Ocean If you can imagine painting the movement and dexterity of the ocean with sound, that is the swirling thrill and balmy peace Become Ocean evokes. John Luther Adams is an Alaskan composer not to be confused with the Californian John Adams. His work centers around the beautiful and often dangerous landscapes of his native state. It is not surprising that Become Ocean was awarded the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Music or that the Seattle Symphony chose him for a commissioned work. This is an album to listen to in its entirety. The only terms that come to mind to describe it without giving away its inherent qualities are simply: Debussian, sound-painting, and thalassic. You can watch the Seattle Symphony perform Become Ocean HERE. Both this list and the original from NPR Music's site are listed alphabetically, but I encourage you to comment with your order of favorites and even suggestions for albums you would have added. Who made your Best of 2014 list?
